An Act for the satisfying and paying the Debts of the Government.

THe Representatives convened in General Assembly, being willing that all such as have advanced Money for the support of the Go∣vernment, should be well and truly paid and satisfied; and for that purpose have agreed that the Rates and Duties herein after mentioned should be levyed and collected, and pray that it may be Enacted, And be it therefore Enacted by the Governour and Council, and Representatives convened in General Assembly, and by the Authority of the same, That the Rates and Duties herein after-mentioned, shall be levied and collected, and be only appropriated and applyed to the payment of such Debts due for the support of the Government, aforesaid, and the said Rates and Duties herein after-mentioned, hereby authorized to be levyed and col∣lected, shall be quarterly paid to such Person or Persons who are now the present Creditors, & have advanced their Money, as aforesaid, their Executors, Administrators or Assigns, in two years from the Publication hereof, in eight quarterly Payments, and in equal proportions, accor∣ding to the greatness and smallness of the Sums due, without any pri∣ority or respect to Persons, and not otherwise. And that the residue of the Money arising and payable by this Act, if any be, shall be appropri∣ated and applyed, from and after the payment of the several Debts, as aforesaid, unto the support of the Government, and for no other use or purpose whatsoever, any thing in this or any other Act contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

And that from and after the Publication hereof, there shall be raised, levyed, collected and paid unto their Majesties, during the space & term of two years, after the publication hereof, as aforesaid, and no longer, the several Rates and Duties herein after-mentioned, over & above all other Page  78Duties, Charges and Impositions by any former Act and Acts set and imposed, that is to say, The Rate and Duty of Two Pence, currant Money of New-York, for every Gallon of Rum, Brandy, and other di∣stilled Liquors. And the Rate and Duty of thirty Shillings for every Pipe of Wine. And five Shillings for every Hogshead of Malossos, and so in proportion for any greater and lesser Quantity that shall be Import∣ed into this Province and Dependencies, from and after the Publication hereof. And also the Rate and Duty of Two per Cent. prime Cost, upon all other Goods of the Growth, Production or Manufacture of Europe, that shall from and after the Publication hereof be Imported, as aforesaid. And also, the Rate and Duty of Six per Cent. prime Cost, of the Goods and Merchandize of the Growth, Production & Manufacture of Europe, that shall from and after the Publication hereof, be imported into this Province and Dependencies, from any other part or place than their Ma∣jesties Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesad, That the several Rates and Duties hereby imposed on the Liquors and Merchandize aforesaid, shall be raised, levyed, collected, recovered and paid unto their Majesties Collector and Receiver General for the time being, during the term be∣fore mentioned, and in the same manner and form, and by such Rules, Allowances, Ways and Means, and under such Penalties, Fines and Forfeitures as are mentioned, expressed and directed in and by one Act of General Assembly made in this present Sessions of Assembly, entituled, An Act for establishing a Revenue to defray the publick and necessary Charges of the Province.

And forasmuch as it is manifest that there are several Sums of Money collected and received by sundry Persons, and not paid unto their Ma∣jesties Receiver General: And also, that there are several Persons that continue and remain indebted for the several Duties and Impositions, and Excise upon Liquors, which were formerly established by the late Go∣vernment, for defraying the publick Charges thereof, and that it is most reasonable and just that all the arrears of the same should be raised, levied, collected, answered and paid unto their Majesties Receiver General, for and towards the Debt aforesaid; Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and every Person or Persons who have received any Sum or Sums from any of their Majesties Subjects within this Province, or under pretence of any Duties, Impositions, or Excise, formerly esta∣blished by the late Government, from the 11th day of August, in the Year of our Lord 1688. until the 20th day of March, in the Year of our Lord 1691. And likwise, all and every Person and Persons that are in arrears for any of the Duties, Impositions or Excise, as aforesaid, shall within four Kalender Moneths after the publication hereof, come unto their Majesties Receiver General at New-York, and there account with him for all and every Sum or Sums of Money, so collected and re∣ceived by them, and every of them: And also, for what they are in arrears for any of the Duties, Impositions or Excise, as aforesaid, and pay the same unto him, without any further delay. And if any Person or Page  79Persons shall refuse or neglect, upon summons of their Majesties Recei∣ver General, to account & pay the sums of Money found due in arrears, as aforesaid, it shall then be lawful for their Majesties Receiver General, who is hereby authorized to do the same, to issue out his Warrant under his Hand and Seal, to make Distress upon the Goods and Chattels of such person or persons that shall be found indebted, or in arrears, as afore∣said, and the same to expose to Sale by Publick Out-cry, and the pro∣duce thereof to take, until he be satisfied for the Sums of Money due and in arrears, as aforesaid. All which Sum & Sums of Money so received by him, shall be paid and imployed to the Uses aforesaid, and to no other use, intent or purpose whatsoever. And all the Acts and Ordi∣nances made by the late Governour and Council for and concerning any of the Duties, Impositions and Excise aforesaid, shall remain and con∣tinue in full force and virtue until all the said Sums of Money, & arrears due thereupon be fully paid and satisfied, according to the tenor of this Act, any thing contained herein, or in any other Act, to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding. Provided, That all Merchants and others, who are to pay the additional Rates and Duties hereby esta∣blished, shall have the time of three Moneths after their respective •n∣tries made, for the Duties aforesaid, for the payment of the Rates and Duties aforesaid, any thing contained to the contrary hereof not∣withstanding.